Stenographic machine



W. A. AYRES ISTENOGRAPHIC MACHINE Oct. 7, 1947.

Filed Oct. 21, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I I 6 w 7@ 9mm 8 m .a T R Z INVENTOR h aZdemar/Z/Zyrea ATTORNEY W. A. AYRES STENOGRAPHIC MACHINE Oct. 7, 1947.

e Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 1944 Rfl m M M R E 0 m .H Y. 8m a Q 2 2 Q%@..

h a Mum w. A. AYRES STENOGRAPHI'C MACHINE 6 Sheds-Sheet 5 Filed O'On. 21, 1944 Non INVENTOR' Waidemaruiflyres.

ATTORNEY Oct. 7, 1947. w. A. AYRES STENOGRAPHIC MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 21

ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 7, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STENOGRAPHIC vMACHINE Waldemar A. Ayres, Flushing, N. Y., 'assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application October 21, 1944, Serial No. 559,777

7 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in stenographic recording devices and more particularly to an improved key arrangement and mechanism controlled thereby for perforating or printing a record strip at high speed.

The improved key arrangement and printing mechanism controlled thereby which comprises the present invention has been shown and described in connection with stenographic machines having keyboards of the type illustrated in my prior patent, No. 2,189,023, dated February 6, 1940, for a Punching and printingdevice. Such an apparatus relates to machines of the class intended particularly for the rapid recording of speech by the individual or simultaneous manipulation of keys. The object accomplished by such machines is to enable the operator, according to spelling, to write at one stroke an entire word or as much of the word as is possible. The keys, when simultaneously depressed, produce a sequence of letters on the record and the record is moved one step after each stroke in readiness for a new series of letters to be produced by the next stroke.

In machines of this type, extreme rapidity .and

facility in the manipulation of the keys is attained. Furthermore, the keyboard arrangement is such that it will permit recording of the greatest number of complete words or phrases, or syllables of the word, as the case may be,.at one stroke with a minimum number of key depressions and with the minimum demand for digital dexterity. s

The invention disclosed herein relates, in one phase thereof, to a new type bar action 'whichdepends for its functioning upon proper manipulation of a keyboard of the type shown in my above mentioned patent. Each type bar carries a plurality of type elements and the type bar itself is selectively shiftable with respect to the printing point on the platen under the control of one or more keys at the keyboard. Depending upon the particular key or keys depressed at the keyboard, the type bar under the control thereof is caused to become tilted so that a selected type becomes aligned with the platen prior to movement of the type bar in 'a direct line into engagement with the platen. The type bar action includes a toggle mechanism which is moved in a substantially straight lineat the time of the printing operation, such straight-line movement of the time bar being attained regardless of the inclination of the bar or of the particular type carried thereby which at the time of printing isin register with the platen.

Accordingly, among the principal objects of the invention, in a machine of the character set forth above, is the provision of keyboard controlled means for moving type bars into engagement with a platen, the type bars being carried on swinging shiftable arms or supports whereby they move bodily to and from the platen in substantially straight lines, while at the same time means are provided for shifting the relative position of the type bars with respect to, the platen prior to their final straight-line movement.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type bar actuating means under the control of one or more keys of the keyboard for tilting the type bars to align a selected character thereon with the printing point on the platen.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control means for type bars having a plurality of type thereon and in which the bars operate .under the control of a keyboard, one or :morekeys of which serve to control the means for tiltingthe type bar to print from a selected type, interlocking means being provided between the various keys for preventing shifting of a, type bar after one or more of the keys which control it have been fully depressed.

The type bar action of the present invention is of the so-called portable noiseless type in which the swinging type bars are arranged radially with respectto the printing point on the platen. Here- .tofore,in most instances, each of the portable type bars has-been provided with only two types so that the number of type bars equals the number of keys. A few other machines "of this type employ four types ,upon each type bar whichareoperable by either of two keys, thus reducing the number of noiseless pivoted type bars to half the number of keysin order to compact thetype bar system. It is a feature of thepresent-invention to provide each noiseless swinging type bar with five-types to beoperable by one .or-more of a group of three keys, thus still further reducing thenumber of pivoted type bars and greatly simplifying and compacting the type bar system.

According to the present invention, single op eration of each key in a group ;of three serves to selectively tilt the type bar to permit a selected type to register with the ,platen. Depression of one pair of adjacent keys simultaneously serves to .further tilt the type bar'to present a fourth type to the platen. Similarly, simultaneous depression of another pair of adjacent keysin the group serves to tilt the type bar so that the fifth type carried thereby will be presented to the platen. Such control of five different types on a single type bar bymeans of only three keys in the keyboard is effected without destroying the ability of the types to move in paths which areat right angles tothe platen or nearly so, this latter feature being conducive to good typing impressions..

The systemof writing developed in accordance with the present .stenographic machineisbased upon discoveries and principles fully set forth along the line 88 of Fig. 3.

along the line l|-l I of Fig. 9.

7 iii, a rear plate l and a front plate l8.

. front plate i8 is provided with an offset portion a 3 and claimed in my prior patent mentioned above. The present invention is concerned primarily with the mechanical structure of the type bars and of the actuating means therefor.

The present invention is also concerned with a novel type of ribbon feeding and reversing mechanism and, accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide a simplified form of ribbon feeding mechanism embodying automatically operable ribbon reversing features.

Likewise, the present invention, in another form thereof, is concerned with a novel form of platen indexing or advancing mechanism .oper- V,

able at each depression of a key or keys of-the keyboard to index the platen and advance the tape one step or line space through the machine.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention not at this time enumerated will become apparent as the following description ensues.

In the accompanying six sheets of drawings forming a partof this specification, one embodiment of the invention is shown. In these drawings:

chine constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2' is a side elevational View of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed, topplan view of the machine with the cover plate thereof removed. In

this view, certain of the keys comprising the keyboard have been removed and their presence in- Fig; 1 is a top plan view of a stenographic ma- I dicated in dotted lines to more clearly illustrate the nature of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan View of a localized region of the machine.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detailed, side elevational view, partly diagrammatic in its representation,

showing one of the type .bars operatively associated with its operating instrumentalities wherebyit is selectively operated from the keyboard.

Fig, 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 5. 1

. Fig. '7 is a fragmentary, schematic view illustrating'the action of a series of permutation bars and key levers employed in connection with the present invention.

- Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 3. In this view, certain parts have been omitted to more clearly reveal thenature' of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line IGID of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substa Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I2l2 of Fig. 9.

In all of the above described views like characters of :reference are employed to designate like parts throughout.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2'and '3, the stenographic machine involves in its general organization a stationary framework designated in its entirety at it) and including a pair of side plates 12 and The 20 designed to' accommodate .certain groups-of character keys associated with the keyboard of themachine, as willbe described presently. The

side plates I2 and I4 and front and rear plates 13 and lfi'respectively form a'generally rectilinear ntially open framework within which is situated the operative machine instrumentalities subsequently to be described. This open framework is supported at the four corners thereof by means of angle pieces 22, in the form of short legs or supports, to which both the side plates and the front and rear plates are secured by means of screws 24 and which serve to maintain the stationary framework of the machine elevated from the sup porting surface upon which the machine rests. The side plates [2 and M are formed with upstanding wing portions 26, one of which appears in Fig. 2. e

The keyboard of the machine appears inFig. 1 and is designated in its entirety at 28. This keyboard, together with numerous modifications thereof, has been shown and described in my above mentioned patent and no claim is made herein to any novelty associated with the particular arrangement of the various keys. For purposes of illustration, itis deemed sufiicient to state that the presentkeyboard arrangement is the result of an exhaustive study ofthe occurrence of English words, and sequence of letters in the words, that are used most frequently in business, literature and other fields of human activity. The keyboard, as shown herein, includes eleven groups of keys, each group being designated in its entirety at 30 and consisting of three individual keys 32 within the group. A space key or bar 34 is also associated with the keyboard 28. As explained in the patent, the keys are arranged as simply as possible for ease in mem-.

wardly of the keyboard between the two pairs of.

key groups just described: The remaining 'two key groups occupy positio-nsforwardly of the keyboard within the space afforded by the offset por-; tion 20 of the front plate I 8. The four key groups existing at the left-hand side of the keyboard'are capable of being operated by the four fingers ,of the left hand to producediiferent initial consonants and consonant-combinations. The four fingers of the right hand are utilized to actuate the five key groups at the right-hand side of the keyboard to produce various final consonantsand consonant-combinations, as-well as certain punc The two thumbsare, employed tuation marks; in operating the two key'groups at the forward central region of the keyboard to produce what-' ever vowels or vowel combinations are encoun- V tered. The various keys, 32 are labeled accordingly, all substantially as shown and described in my above mentioned patent.

Each of the consonant keys 32 (see'Fi'gs. 3 5) is mounted adjacent the forward, end of a horizontally disposed tiltable key lever '36 and each of the vowel keys 32 is mounted adjacent the forward end of a similar but somewhat longer.

lever 36, there being thirty-foursuchlevers in all to accommodate the thirty-four 'keysof the.

All of these; levers are looselyQ mounted near the rear of the machine 'on'a hori- V zontal supporting shaft 38, the ends of whicharei anchored to and supported from the side plates keyboard 28.

In order that the and l2 and M by means of nuts 40 which arethreadedly received on the threaded ends of the shaft 38. A series of spacing collars 44 are mounted on the shaft 38 and serve to maintain the rear ends of the levers 36 spaced apart, as shown in Fig'. 3.

As explained in my prior patent above referred to, since the various keys 32 of the key groups 39 are arranged in close proximity to each other and in alignment, as shown in Fig, 1, to permit simultaneous striking of adjacent keys by the same finger, the various key levers 36 or 36 extend across the machine from front to rear thereof and are arranged in groups of three levers each with the levers of each group being arranged in close proximity to each other and with a comparatively wider distance between adjacent groups, as shown in Fig. 3. Thus, to accommodate all thirty-three of the alphabetical keys, there are eleven such lever groups in all. The space key or bar 34 is mounted upon an individual lever 31 which is also pivoted for tilting movement to the shaft 38.

A guide bar 46 (see Figs. 3, 5, 8 and 9) is secured in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of screws 48, to the inside of the front plate l8 and is provided with a series of grooves 50 therein which are adapted to slidabl receive the forward ends of the Various consonant key levers 36, aswell as the forward end of the space bar lever 31, The two groups of levers 36' in the central regions of the machine which serve to accommodate the vowel keys 32 arranged within the offset portion 20 of the front plate l8 pass completely through slots 5! formed in the guide bar 45 and the extreme forward ends of these individual bars terminate just short of the forward wall of the offset portion 29. Slots 52 formed in the upper edge of these latter bars, as shown in Fig. 9, permit the bars to assume their normal horizontal position in a plane common to all of the levers 35 and 35. A limiting strip 54 is secured in any suitable manner, as for example by means of screws 55, to the upper edge of the guide bar 46 to determine the uppermost position of the various consonant key levers 36.

The side plates l2 and Hi are provided with outwardly struck flanges 58 (Figs. 2, 8 and 9) medially of their lower edges, to which flanges there is secured a horizontal bar 6!) which extends completely across the machine in the lower regions thereof. A plurality of strips of spring sheet material 62 are secured to the upper side of the bar 60 and each of these strips is provided with a series of rearwardly extending sprin fingers 64 having upturned ends 66 designed for engagement with the underneath edge of the various levers 36, 35' and 37, These spring fi gers serve to normally bias the levers to their raised or elevated positions. For convenience, there have been provided three such strips 62 in all, two of them accommodating the consonant key levers at the rightand left-hand sides of the levers respectively and the other strip serving to accommodate the two groups of vowel key levers. An individual string strip 63 serves to accommodate the space bar lever 31, as shown in Fig. 8. The variou levers 35, 35 and 31 are provided with localized knife-edge regions 68 designed for engagement with the upturned ends 66 of the various spring fingers 64 to reduce friction between the parts to a minimum.

As set forth in my above mentioned patent, the individual consonant and vowel keys 32 associated with each group 30 thereof are adapted to be 6. selectively depressed singly to print the alphabetical character which they represent. Each pair of adjacent keys within a group is also adapted to be selectively depressed simultaneously, such simultaneous depression thereof serving to print an alphabetical character different from either of the characters which they individually represent. Thus, according to the keyboard shown in Fig. 1, the three keys 32, shown in side elevation in Fig. 5, may represent, reading from left to right, the characters T, S and Q according to the labeling thereon. Depression of any one of these keys singly will cause a corresponding alphabetical character to be printed. If, however, 'the two adjacent keys representing the letters T and S are simultaneously depressed, the letter D will be printed, as indicated by the labeling. Similarly, if the two adjacent keys S and Q are simultaneously depressed, the letter K will be printed, as shown by the labeling.

Means are provided for preventing subsequent depression of one or more of the keys 32 after individual or simultaneous depression of any of them. For example, if in the keyboard shown in Fig, 1, the key representing the letter N is depressed, all of the remaining keys of the keyboard become locked against depression until such time as the first key has been released. This locking arrangement, however, does not preclude simultaneous depression of more than one key at a time. Yet, after such simultaneous depression of keys has taken place, further depression of the keys, either individually or in pairs, is prevented. Toward these ends, a horizontal rock shaft 10 extends transversely across the machine and is journaled in any suitable manner in the two side plates 12 and I4 thereof for limited oscillating movement. A plurality of locking elements 12 are mounted upon and keyed to the rock shaft 10 for oscillation in unison therewith. The elements '82 are suitably spaced from each other on the shaft H! and each is in the form of a fiat sheet or strip stock having an irregularly shaped slot 'M formed therein, thus providing two generally parallel, substantially radially extending arms 16 and 18. A plurality of coil springs suitably secured to a rod 82 extending between the side plates [2 and I4 are anchored to certain of the members 12 and exert their influence to maintain the rock shaft 10 in one extreme position. The arm 16 of each member 12 is slightly longer than the arm 18 and, by virtue of the nature of the slot 14 existing between the two arms, is provided with an inclined cam portion 84 thereon. The upper end of each arm H5 normally bears against a pin 86 mounted at one side of one of the levers 36, it bein understood that for each of the levers 36 there is a corresponding locking element 12. The upper portion of each of the arms 18 is turned laterally as at 88 and its extrem upper end constitutes an abutment for the pins 86. From the above description of parts, it will be seen that upon depression of any one of the keys 32 in the entire keyboard, the pin 86 attached to the lever 36 associated with that key will be lowered into the slot 14 of the corresponding locking member 12. As the pin 86 rides downwardly on the cam surface 84, the locking member 12, together with the shaft 10 upon which it is mounted, will be tilted to a slight extent in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 5, thus moving with it all of the other locking members 12 which control the functioning of the various other keys 32 with which they are associated. When all of the locking members 12 have been thus tilt-..

3 port thereon a transverse angle piece. I08.

ed in aclockwise direction, the extreme upper end of the arms 16 of each locking member12, with the exception of the locking member associated with the depressed key,,will underlie the respective pins 86 to prevent further depression of any of the levers 36. By such an arrangement it is possible'to depress more than one key at a time, provided the depression of the keys is made substantially simultaneously. In such an instance, all of the pins 86 associated with the simultaneously depressed keys will ride into their respective slots I4 and the rock shaft will be tilted in a clockwise direction, as heretofore described.. After the pins 85 have arrived at the bottom of the slots is of the corresponding members I2, the entire locking assembly will have been shifted to such a position that no further depression of keys is attainable.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 7 and 9, the type bars 90, of which there are eleven in number, are arranged in a' line along the printing line of the platen 92 and are adapted to move bodily in substantially straight linear, or very slightly curved, paths to and from the printing point to engage the platen or a strip of work tape passed therearound. Each of the type bars carries five types designated at k, d, s, q and t, arranged in vertical alignment on the front surface of the various type bars 96, this latter surface being arcuate in form so that each type will engage the platen with the same degree of pressure. Each ofthe type bars 66 is operable by one of the groups 32 of three keys each associated with th keyboard and i the type bars are adapted to assume any one of five different printing positions, dependingupon are depressed. Accordingly, each of the type bars 90 operates under the control of a suitable toggle linkage mechanism, designated in its entirety at 94, which is controlled by means of three depressable key levers 36 associated With the particular group of keys concerned. The toggle linkage mechanism 94 operates both to impart the desired degree of angularity to the type bar 90 as well as to cause linear movement of the latter for printing purposes, all under the influence of a permutation system of leverage, the nature of which will be described presently. The various toggle linkage mechanisms 94 associated with the across the framework from the front to the rear thereof and each is provided with an upstanding f portion I62 (Figs. 8 and 9) having laterally turned 'flanges Mi t, Similar laterally, turned flanges I86 formed on the side plates I2, and I4 serve in conjunction with the flanges I94 to sup- The angle piece Ifitl, in addition to serving its function as a transverse support for the machine frame the manner in which the three keys of the group various type bars are each pivotally connected as'at II8 medially to a respective link II6. A support spans the distancebetween the two plates I00 and carries a strip of spring'material' 96 having spring fingers 91 formed thereon, these latter fingers serving as stops to limit the upward movement of the type bars 90. 1 a

Thus far, the description'for the type bars 90 and their controlling mechanism is substantially the same in the case of the nine consonant type bars as for the two vowel type bars. In the case of the consonant type bars, each of the suspension links I I6 is pivotally connected as at I20 to a thrust link I22, the other end of this latter link being pivotally connected as at I24 to a swinging link I26 medially thereof. The lower end of the link I26 is tiltably supported upon a cross rod I28. which extends completely across the machine transversely thereof, passes through the two spaced supporting plates I Iii! and has its ends anchored to the side plates I2 and I4. Each of the links I26 is curved rearwardly as at I30 and has attached to its rearmost end an Lshaped link I32 (see also Fig. 3). The'various L-shaped links I32, when in'their normal positions'are nested together one within the other, as shown in Fig. 3. The four links I32, associated with the four groups of consonant keys. at the lefthand side of the machine, extend laterally to the left, as shown in Fig. 3, in nestedrelationship, while the five links I32 associated with the five groups of consonant keys at the righthand side of the machine extend to the right in nested fashion, as shown in Fig. 3, and thusthere are nine such nested links I32 in all. Each of the ous horizontal arms I34 differ, of course; since the various groups of consonant keys occupy different lateral positions along the keyboard. The links associated with the two extreme rightand left-hand groups of keys have the longest hori-- zontal arms and the links associated with they Q two innermost rightand left-hand groups of consonant keys have the shortest horizontal arms. Each of the links I32 is provided with'an arm I36 designed for limited swinging movement. 7' I in a vertical plane about the axis of the rod I28.f

Each arm I36 is providedwith a lateral extension I38 which,-in combination with the arm' I36,

end of which carries a horizontally disposed thrust pin I 44 of sufiicient length to span the threedepressable key levers 36 in. the particular group of levers with which: it is associated. Each of the pins I44 underlies the three depress able key levers 36' of the group with which it is. associated and is adapted to ride in a series'of slots- I 36 of equal extent which are formed in the levers. r

The linkage system thus far described is pri-:

marily adapted for use in imparting longitudinal work, also serves as an anchoring member for a plates I96 near the top thereof serves as a suspension rod fora plurality of downwardly ,de-L pending bifurcated suspension'glinks'IIli. The

printing thrust motion to the type bar 96. This component of motion applied to the type bar] remains substantially the same regardless of'the angular position thereof. The angular position of the type bar is controlled by a difierent but interrelated system of linkages that will next be set forth. It will b noted that upon depressionlof anyone or more ofthe three consonantkeys 32 in a group 30 thereof, a linkage motion will be set into effect which is caused by lowering of the pin I44 and link I42, counter-clockwise tilting of the bell crank lever I38, I36, as viewed in Fig. 5, similar counterclockwise tilting motion of the link I26 attached to the bell crank lever, forward movement of the link I22, swinging movement of the suspension link H6 in a clockwise direction and consequent forward, substantially linear movement of the type bar 90.

The angular tilting movement of the type bar 90 to bring a selected type 70, d, s, q or 15 into alignment with the printing point on the platen i eifected by means of a link I50, the upper end of which is pivotally connected at I 52 medially of the type bar 90 and the lower end of which is pivotally connected as at I54 to an inclined bar I56. Each of the bars I56 is provided with a forward, relatively long portion I58, pivoted adjacent its forward region to the rod I28, an inclined, transversely disposed portion I60 and a relatively short forward inclined offset portion I62. This latter portion has secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of rivets I64, a U-shaped permutation link I66 having a substantially horizontal base portion I68 and an upstanding arm I10 pivotally connected to the rod I28. It is to be noted that the bar I56, together with its offset portion I62 and the U-shaped link I66, forms a substantially rigid structure which is designed for limited rocking movement about the axis of the rod I28. The extreme upper end of the arm I10 is provided with a hole I12 affording attaching means for the various springs III! which are anchored to the angle piece I08. In this manner, the rigid linkage structure just described is operatively biased for tilting movement about the axis of the rod I28 in a clockwise direction.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and '1, each of the U-shaped permutation links I66 is designed for cooperation with a respective group of closely spaced key levers 36 and, depending upon which lever or levers of the group thereon are depressed,

the link is adapted to assume any one of five different angular positions to cause the type bar 90 to selectively present one of the types k, d, s, q or t to the printing point of the platen. The base portion of the U-shaped permutation link I66 has pivoted thereto at a point I14 a relatively short cross head I16. Each end of the cross head carries a pivoted leg, which legs are designated at I18 and I80 respectively. The legs I18 and I 80 depend downwardly from the cross head I16 and are provided with foot portions I82 adapted to be received in a plurality of aligned permutation slots formed in the upper edges of the three levers 36. The nature of the slots, which are formed in the levers 36 and which receive the foot I82 of the leg I80, is clearly shown in Fig. 6 and is diagrammatically represented in Fig. 7. The nature of the slots which receive the foot I82 of th leg I18 is also diagrammatically represented in Fig. '1.

As previously set forth, the three keys 32 of Fig. 5 have been labeled T, S and Q, according to the characters which they represent, with intermediate characters D and K illustrating combinational characters when two adjacent keys are depressed. The same labeling has been applied to the levers 36 in Figs. 6 and 7 to facilitate the ensuing description. The center or S-lever 36 is provided with a relatively shallow slot I84, while th T- and Q-levers are provided with somewhat deeper slots I86 and I88. These slots 10 are in transverse alignment and when the foot I82 of the leg I is received therein it will occupy an elevated position with its lower edge resting upon the bottom of the shallow slot' I84, as shown in Fig. 6. The three levers 36 are also provided with additional slots I in the case of the S-lever, I92 in the case of the T-lever, and I94 in the case of the Q-lever. These slots also are in alignment. The slot I90 is of rectilinear configuration and is relatively deep. The slot I92 is generally V-shaped, is fully as deep as the slot I90 and is provided with a side I96 which is inclined in one direction. The slot I94 is also generally of V-shape but is shallower than either the slot I90 or I92 and is provided with a side I98 which is inclined in a direction opposite to'the direction of the side I96 of the slot I92. When the three levers 36 are in their elevated positions with their outer upper edges bearing against the strip 54, the three slots I90, I92 and I94 take on the aspect illustrated in Fig.5 with the foot I82 of the leg I18 resting upon the two inclined sides I96 and I 98 of the slots I 92 and I94 respectively and elevated a substantialdis tance above the bottom of the slot I90.

With the three levers 36 in their elevated position and the two feet I82 occupying the position shown in Fig. 5, the cross head I16 assumes a substantially horizontal position and the U- shaped permutation link I66 assumes a normal position wherein the type bar 90 is swung downwardly about the pivotal point II8 and wherein none of the type elements k, (1,8, q or t 'is'iri register with the printing point on the platen 92.

When the T-lever is depressed, this lever drops below the level ofthe S- and Q-levers and in such an instance the level of the foot I82 of the leg I80 is not altered, inasmuch as it rests upon the bottom of the slot I84 in'the S-lever, the elevation of which is notdisturbe'd. However; upon such depression of the T-lever, the inclined side I96 of the permutation slot I92 is'withdrawn from its supporting position and the foot I82 of the leg I18 slides downwardly on the inclined side I98, thus allowing the cross head'I'I6 to become tilted slightly to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5. The pivotal point I14 of the cross head I 16 may be considered as an operating point, the elevation of which determines the angular position of the type bar 90. Thus, when the cross head I16 becomes tilted, as just described, this operating point is lowered a slight degree and its lowering efiect is magnified through the linkage system, including the bar I56 and link I50 so that the type bar 90 is swung upwardly to a position wherein the type 't becomesaligned with the printing point on the platen 92. As the T-lever is moved further toward its final position, the linkage system including the swinging link I26 and thrust link I22 and suspension link H6 is setinto operation to movethe type bar 90 substantially linearly and effect the printing operation utilizing the type t.

Upon depression of the Q-lever, the elevation of the foot I82 of the leg I80 is not disturbed, inasmuch as this foot still'rests upon the bottom of the slot I84 of the S-lever. However, such depression of the Q-lever serves to withdraw the inclined support I98 afforded by the slot I94 for the foot I82 of the leg I18 and this foot is caused to slide downwardly on the inclined support I96 until it reaches the level of the bottom of the slot I90. This level being somewhat lower than the level encountered during the printing of the type t, the cross head I16 becomes inclined '11 to. the left. to an extent sufficient. to swing the type bar 90 upwardly and cause the type 1; tov move into. register with the printing point on the platen 92. As in the case of the type q; com-1 plete'depression of the Q-lever alsoi imparts linear printing movement to the type bar 90.

Upon depression of the Sslever the bottom of the slot: I90 is lowered away from the foot I 82 of the leg I18, but this'foot continues to obtain a support on the two inclined surfaces I96 and I98. However, when the S-lever is depressed, the; bottom of the shallow slot I84. is lowered so that the foot I.8'2 of the leg I80. moves downwardly, thus lowering the operating point I'M to a degree su-fiicient to swing the type bar 90 upwardly until the type s becomes aligned with the prmting-point on the platen 92. The linear printing'operation takes place as described heretofore.

When the adjacent T- and S-levers are simultaneouslydepressed, the initial support of the foot I82 for the leg I80 is lowered, while at the same time the inclined surface I96 of the slot I92 is withdrawn from beneath'the foot I82 of the leg I18. Thus, this foot Ii82 will movedownwardly on the inclined surface I98, as previously described, and the operating point I 1420f the crosshead I16 and link I66 will be lowered to anextent greater than any previously described.

In such an instance, the'type bar 90. will be swung upwardly until the typed falls into register with the printing point on the platen 92. ing takes. place as usual.

Upon simultaneous depression of the S-. and Q levers all; initial support for both of the feet I82 is. removed. In such an instance, both'of these feet are lowered to the fullest extent permitted by the. permutation slots and the operating point I14; isv moved to its lowermost limiting position so that the type bar 90-: is fully elevated with; the type It in register with the printing point on. the platen 92.

Simultaneous depression of the T- and Q-le- I vers: or of the T-, S- and Q levers is possible and in such an instance, since all initial support for the two. feet I82 would be withdrawn, the type bar 90; would print the character is. However, such depression of non-adjacent keys or of the three keys inI a. group is not contemplated according to the present system of stenography.

. At this point it will be apparent that the previously described locking member 12, by serving to prevent depression of any other key after a first key or pair of keys has been depressed, will preclude the possibility of printing until one or another of the various types is, d'. s, q or t is. definitely in register with the printing point on the platen 92 for printing purposes.

The controlling mechanism for the two type barsv 9.0 which carry vowel characters operates upon; the same principle as the controlling instrumentalities for the nine type bars which carry consonant characters. However, since the vowel, key; levers are situated centrally of the machine and are longer than the other consonant "keylevers, the angular inclined bars I56 and the U-shaped permutation links I66 may be dis- Linear printpensed Withand a simplified permutation system substituted in their stead. Such a simplified 12 of the vowel type bars 90. is embodied in a linkage system including a substantially vertically disposed link 200 similar to the link I 12. The

lower end of the link carries a pin 202 similar in function to the pin IM and this latter pin cooperates with a series of notches 264 formedin the underneath sides of the three key levers 36'. The upper end of the link 260 is pivotally connected as at 206 to an inclined arm 206 formed on a tiltable U-shaped link 2N1. The section-line 9-9 of Fig. 3 passes medially through one of the U- shaped links H0, and, as a consequence, the, inclined arm 208, shown in Fig. 9-, is not a part of the Ueshaped link 2I0 but is a part of the next adjacent. link. Since there are two vowel type bars 90, there are two links 2I0. each link is shown in Fig, 9 and these two. links are similar in design but are'complementary in form, one accommodating the left-hand voweltype bar, and the other accommodating the right-hand vowel type bar. Each U-shaped link 2I0 is provided with a second arm 2I'2, the upper end of whichis pivoted to the thrust link I22. From the above description, it will be seen that upon depression ofany one of the three key levers 36' a linkage system passing through links 200, 2I0, 12,2 and H6 will operate to move the type bar linearly, as previously described. The angular tilting movement of each of the two vowel type'bars 90 to bring a selected type i, u, e, 0, or a. into alignment with the printing point on the platen is effected by means of a permutation bar 2M which occupies a substantially horizontal position in the machine and. which is generally of u shap'ed design, including a long arm 2I6 pivoted at I94 to the lower end of the link I50 and a short arm 2I8, the endof which ispivotally connected to a shaft 200 that extends between the two upstanding frame portions I02 near the forward edge thereof. The shaft 206 also passes through the long arm 2 I 6.

Referring now to Fig. 9, a cross head andleg arrangement substantially identical with the cross head and leg arrangement I16, I80, I82, etc.,

of Fig. 5, and similarly designated, is pivotally secured at I14- to the inner side of the short arm 2l8. of the permutation link 2M and the foot portions I82 thereof cooperate with a series of slots I84, I86, I86, I90, I92 and I94'identica1 in design and function with the similarly numbered slots of Fig. 5 to effect different angular positions of thepermutation bar 2M and elevate the type bar 90 accordingly to selectively present the types 1', u, e, 0 or a to the printing point of the platen, as previously described.

The keys 32 of Fig. 9 are vowel keys and they have been labeled, reading from left to right, I, EyU in a manner similar to the labeling of the keys 32 of Fig. 5. The vowel characters Oand A appearing in this figure represent intermediate combinationalcharacters similar to the consonant characters D and K. Thus, upon simultaneous depression of the I key and the E key, the type bar 90 will be elevated to such a position that the type 0 moves into register with the printing point of' the platen. Similarly, upon simultaneous depression of the e key and the u key, the type bar 90, will be elevated so that the type a falls into register with the printing point of the platen.

It is to; benoted that locking elements I2 which are identical with those previously described are operatively mounted on the shaft I0 and cooperate with the two groups of vowel key levers. Since the locking members I2 are mounted on the rotatable shaft 10, the locking One-half of action obtains for the entire keyboard whether consonant or vowel characters are concerned. The paper feeding mechanism and the ribbon feeding mechanism are related to each other to the extent that they are both actuated from a common depressable actuating 235. The paper feed instrumentalities are under the control of a ratchet and rack mechanism which is operated through a linkage system controlled by the bar 235, while the ribbon feed mechanism operates under the control of a ratchet and pawl mechanism operating through a linkage mechanism also controlled by the bar 235.

The paper feed mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 8, 9 and 11. The machine employs an elongated. strip of conventional stenographic or adding machine type of tape T which is supplied in the form of packets consisting of continuous folded layers of material, as shown near the bottom of Figs. 9 and 11. This paper stock is adapted to be received in a narrow elongated chamber 25!! afforded by a container 252 which may be formed of sheet metal and which is situated on the underneath side of the machine and suitably anchored to the spaced supporting plates lflll in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of fastening screws 254. The container 252 is provided with an extensible, open-ended tray 256 which is slidable thereon and which may be pulled outwardly to underlie and project rearwardly of the platen 92 for the purpose of receiving therein the continuous stock which has been operated upon by the printing mechanism. The use of such a storage compartment, and of an extensible stock receiving tray therefor, is old and no claim is made herein to any novelty associated with the same.

The platen 92 is rotatably supported between two side plates 258 (Figs. 8 and 9) which are anchored by means of fastening screws 26!] to the supporting plates lllll at the rear of the machine. The platen includes the usual rubber or other composition platen roller 252, a ratchet wheel 264 at one side thereof and a finger knob 266 at the other side thereof for manual manipulation of the platen. A keeper bracket 268 is pivotally mounted on a shaft 2'56? extending between the two side plates 258 and carries a roller 212 designed for cooperation with the platen roller 262. A spring 27% serves to bias the keeper bracket 268 and efiect cooperation between the keeper roller 272 and the platen roller 262. Paper issuing from the chamber 253 is passed upwardly around a roller 2'56, over and above a curved plate 278 mounted on the shaft 21! extending between the tWo side plates 258, around the platen roller 262 and between this roller and the roller 272, and finally downwardly into the tray 256.

The previously mentioned depressable bar 235 is carried at the free ends of a pair of arms 282 (Fig. mounted upon and movable with a rock shaft 284 extending across the machine and the ends of which are rotatably journaled in the side plates 12 and M. A spring 286 surrounding the shaft 284 bears at one end against the underneath side of the bar (58 and at the other end against the underneath edge of one of the arms 282 to normally urge this arm, and consequently the bar 235, to its uppermost position in close proximity to the underneath edges of the various key levers 36, 35'. A series of resilient sleeves 288, which may be formed of rubber or other resilient material, are mounted on the bar 235 and are designed for direct contact with the underneath edges of the key levers 36 in order that when one or more of these latter levers are depressed the bar 235 will be moved downwardly, thus swinging the arms 282 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5. Such downward movement of the bar 235 operates through linkage mechanism, about to be described, to index the ribbon and also to preset the platen indexing mechanism for subsequent indexing action when the key levers are released and the bar 235 again is restored to its normal upper position.

Referring now to Figs. 8, 9 and 11, an operating lever 290 is pivoted as at 29f to each of the spaced supporting plates l ill]. The two levers 2% project forwardly of the machine and are provided with bifurcated ends 292 which straddle the bar 235, as shown in Fig. 8. The lever 29!} is pivotally connected as at 294 to a link 296, which is in turn connected by a pin and slot connection 298 to an irregular angular shaped lever 3953. The lever 33B is pivotally mounted on a shaft 3&2 supported between the side plates ml] and is provided with a laterally turned portion 334 having a laterally extending offset ear 3% (Fig. 9) also pivoted to the shaft 382. The lateral extension 33 and ear 306 are provided for the purpose of offering rigid ity of mounting to the lever 36%., The lever 331i is pivotally connected as at 388 to one end of the thrust link are, the other end of the link being pivotally connected as at M2 to an angular pawl piece 3M, which is in turn pivotally mounted on the shaft 38 and biased in one direction by means of a spring 3H5. The pawl piece 364 carries a stud 3E6 on which there is pivoted a rack 3i 8 designed for cooperation with the teeth provided on the platen ratchet wheel 2%. A small spring 32!! is anchored at one end to the body portion of the pawl piece 3M and at the other end to an offset lug 322 formed on the rack member 3E3. In order that the teeth of the rack shall at all times be maintained in operative engagement with the teeth on the platen ratchet wheel, a holding pawl 324 is pivoted as at 326 to the side plates 258 and is spring-pressed as at 328 into engagement with the teeth on the platen ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement of the latter.

As previously stated, the operating mechanism for the platen 92 is of the presetting type. In other words, initial actuation of the mechanism serves to preset the rack 3l3 against the action.

of the spring 32!). Upon releasing of the mechanism, the rack is left free to perform its operative stroke under the influence of the spring 320.

The ribbon supporting and feeding mechanism is best illustrated in Figs. 3, 8, 9 and 11. The ribbon is carried upon two spools 3M and 303 which are removably mounted upon and keyed to a pair of sleeves 335 rotatably disposed upon stub shafts 387 anchored to the side plates I00. Securing nuts 399 are provided for holding the spools in position on the sleeves 3&5. Each of the sleeves 385 has mounted thereon a gear 3H adapted to be alternately driven by the ribbon advancing mechanism, the nature of which will be set forth presently. The metal of the upwardly extending portion N32 of the side pieces S88 is struck outwardly as at 3|? to provide a pair of ribbon guides and a ribbon R is adapted to pass over these guides and between the type bars 90 and platen 92 in passing from one ribbon spool to the other.

Each of the levers 29B is provided with an offset portion 339, to which there is pivoted the forward end of a link 332, the rear end of this link being pivotally attached to the lower end of an arm 33 3, which arms are integrally formed on a tiltable bracket 333 (see Fig. 9). The

bracket 336 carries a pair of ears 338 across which there extends a short shaft 340 carrying a pawl 342 designed for indexing engagement with a ratchet wheel 344 centrally mounted on a shaft 3.46 suspended across the upper ends of an oscillatable U.-.shaped bracket 348 which is pivoted tion of angularity, as shown in Fig. 3, the pinion 354 is maintained in mesh with its respective gear 3. Similarly, when the bracket 348 assumes its other position of angularity, the pinion 358 is designed for cooperation with its respective gear 3ll.

Referring now to Fig. 11, the bracket 348 is spring biased and is adapted to be moved over a dead-center to either of its extreme limiting inclined positions. Toward this end, the bracket 348 is provided with an elongated arm 353, the outer end of which carries a lug 359. The arm 358 projects beyond the front edge of the plate 352 and a bowed spring 363 at one end thereof is secured in a slot 362 formed in the lug 359 and the other end thereof is secured in a slot 384 provided in the forward edge of the plate 352. The bracket 348 thus possesses a degree of un-. stable equilibrium and is normally urged to either of its extreme positions to cause one or the other of the two pinions 354 or 353 to move into engagement with its respective gear 3| I. It is to be noted at this point that regardless of which position the bracket 348 assumes, the extent of ehange in its angularity with respect to the pawl 342 is not so great as to prevent proper functioning of this latter part.

A holding pawl 333 is pivoted to a pair of cars 333 formed on the plate 352 and operates under the influence of gravity to prevent retraction of the ratchet wheel 344. The tiltable rotatable shaft 348 carries adjacent its opposite ends a pair of eccentric cam members 363 which are so positioned as to bear against respective rolls of ribbon material mounted on the spools 38l and 383. During ribbon feeding operations under the influence of the ratchet and pawl mechanism 342, 344, the particular cam member 388 associated with the ribbon spool which is undergoing indexing, is adapted to bear against the ribbon material as it rotates. This will cause the shaft 343 to be repeatedly oscillated throughout small accurate degrees with the shaft gradually appreaching its dead-center position. When this dead-center position is attained and extended, by virtue of the ribbon material building up on the spool, the bracket will be automatically carried over the dead-center position by the spring 368, thus causing disengagement of one of the pinions 354 or 356, as the case may be, with its respective gear 3H and engagement of the other pinion with its respective gear to condition the ribbon for reverse indexing.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 8, the space key 34 is suitably mounted on the space bar 3'! adjacent the forward edge of the latter. This space bar 31 is pivoted on the shaft 38. The function of the space key is to index the platen roller two spaces upon a single depression of the space key as distinguished from the ingle spacing operation of any of the character keys. The space key 34 is preferably positioned well within the confines of the keyboard and just inside the left-hand group of consonant keys 36. The lever 383 associated with the platen indexing linkage system is provided with a laterally ex: tending arm 372, the free end of which under.- lies the space bar 31, as shown in Fig. 8. Upon depression of the space key 34, the underneath edge of the space bar 3? is adapted to engage the arm 372 to rock the lever 393 in a counter-clock! wise direction, thus causing indexing of the platen-92 in a manner that has previously been described in connection with the linkagesystem Which controls the platen indexing operation. The extent of the'arm 312 with respect to the point of pivotal connection for the lever .303 and its relation to the space bar 38 is so calculated in accordance with engineering practice that upon full depression of the space bar 3'! the lever 3!!!) will be tilted to the proper extent in order that the rack and ratchet assembly which controls the operation of the platen will be actuated'to an extent suflicient to cause double spacing of the record media associated with the platen.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. Only insofar as the in: vention has been particularly pointed out in the accompanying claims is the same to be limited.

What is claimed is:

1. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltablebodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, depressable key levers associated with said type bar and of a number less than the num: ber of type thereon, operating means common to all of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming differe ent positions commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, supporting means formed on Said levers for supporting and maintaining said pere mutation member in its various positions depending upon the relative positions of said levers with respect to each other, and means normally and yieldingly urging said permutation member into engagement with said levers.

2. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, depressable key levers associated with said type bar and of a number less than the number of'type thereon, operating means common to all of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different degrees of elevation commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, and a supporting foot for said permutation member adapted to bear against and rest upon said key levers and to assume different elevational positions upon selective a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, depressable key'levers associated with said type bar and of a number less than the number of type thereon, operating means common to all of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different elevational positions commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, a cross head pivotally mounted on said permutation member at an operating point thereon, and a pair of supporting legs depending from said cross head on opposite sides of the operating point and adapted to bear against said key levers, each of said supporting legs assuming different elevational positions upon selective depression of the key levers, there being a plurality of notches formed in said levers for reception therein of said supporting legs.

4. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, a pair of depressable key levers associated with said type bar, operating means common to both of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different elevational positions commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, means formed .on said levers for selectively supporting said permutation member in its various elevational positions depending upon selective depression of said levers, and means normally urging said permutation member into supporting engagement with said levers.

5. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a, tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, a pair of depressable key levers associated with said type bar, operating means common to both of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different elevational positions commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, means formed on one of said levers for supporting said permutation member in an elevated position when said lever remains elevated and means formed on the other key lever for supporting said permutation member in a lower elevational position when said first lever is depressed and when said last mentioned lever remains elevated.

6. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, depressable key levers associated with said type bar and of a number less than the number of type thereon, operating means common to all of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing point on said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different positions commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, a cross head pivotally mounted on said permutation member at an operating point thereon, a pair of supporting legs depending from said cross head on opposite sides of the operating point, and means on said key levers for supporting each leg in different elevational positions depending upon the relative positions of said levers with respect to each other whereby the elevation of said operating point is altered and the over-all elevation of said permutation member is shifted to cause selective shifting of said type bar.

7. In a printing shorthand machine including a printing platen, a type action comprising a tiltable bodily movable type bar, a plurality of type thereon, depressable key levers associated with said type bar and of a, number less than the number of type thereon, operating means common to all of said levers for tilting said type bar to bring a selected type thereon into register with the printing line of said platen, said operating means comprising a linkage system including a permutation member capable of assuming different degrees of elevation commensurate with the inclination of said type bar, supporting means formed on said levers for supporting and maintaining said permutation member in its various positions depending upon the relative positions of said levers with respect to each other, means normally and yieldingly urging said permutation member into engagement with said levers and a second linkage system for moving said type bar bodily toward and away from said printing platen, said linkage system being connected to the type bar and designed for selective engagement with said key levers.

WALDEMAR A. AYRES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,325,612 Kirkpatrick Aug. 3, 1943 2,334,693 Bastow Nov. 23, 1943 336,725 Lasar Feb. 23, 1886 877,719 Kirby Jan. 28, 1908 980,273 Ireland Jan. 3, 1911 1,273,338 Ebelhare et a1 July 23, 1918 432,295 Blickensderfer July 15, 1890 454,080 Spiro June 16, 1891 1,395,994 Bourquin Nov. 1, 1921 2,375,526 Colombo May 8, 1945 502,700 Cahill Aug. 8, 1893 2,390,414 Ayres et al Dec. 4, 1945 

